Research Basics: Choosing & Evaluating Sources

Scholarly journals are also called academic, peer-reviewed, or refereed journals.

Strictly speaking, peer-reviewed (refereed) journals refer only to those scholarly journals that submit articles to several other scholars, experts, or academics (peers) in the field for review and comment. These reviewers must agree that the article represents properly conducted original research or writing before it can be published.

To check if a journal is peer-reviewed/refereed, refer to the publication type.  In EBSCO it will show when you click on the name of the journal.  If outside of EBSCO refer to chart below.

Check out our LibGuide dedicated to scholarly journals here: Scholarly, Popular, and Sensation Journals

Information about almost any subject is easy to find; however, not all information is good information. An essential part of academic research and writing is learning how to critically analyze and evaluate sources to eliminate old, incorrect, or irrelevant information. The CRAAP Test (current, relevant, accurate, authority, purpose) is a guide for analyzing your research sources, including websites, articles and books. 

Current: The timeliness of the information

• When was the information published or posted?
• When was it revised or updated?
• Do you require current information, or will older sources work?
• Are the links functional?

 Relevant: The importance of the information for your needs

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate college level?
• Are you confident in the source to cite in your paper?

Authority: The source of the information.

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Is the author qualified on this topic, what are their credentials?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
• examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

 Accurate: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify information in another source?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

 Purpose: The reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
• Do the authors make their purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?

This information has been adapted from "Evaluating Information-Applying the CRAAP Test" by the staff at Meriam Library, California State University-Chico.
"Evaluating Information-Applying the CRAAP Test." 17 Sept. 2010. Meriam Lib., California State University-Chico. CSU-Chico ReSEARCH Station. Web. 2 July 2013.

First, check out this short video on effective search strategies!

You don't want to waste time when trying to find sources.

The Internet is endless, so you want to know

how to get the information you really

want & need quickly 

Credit: Sarah Clark

Your professor probably mentioned that you 

need to use scholarly resources for your research assignment.

What exactly is a scholarly source, though? 

This video explains the difference between scholarly sources

and other sources of information, as well as

why using scholarly sources matter! 

Credit: University of South Australia

Check out this super quick video on the 

differences between PRIMARY & SECONDARY 

sources of information, why it matters, and 

when to use them 

Credit: Oregon School Library Information System

How do you know if you are using a credible

source you can trust? 

Credit: University of South Australia

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